MORRISBURG — Light show, train ride and cinnamon bun — the highlights were hit while Upper Canada Village was blanketed by the winter wonderland of last Friday’s storm.

The lights seemed to shine a little brighter as the huge snowflakes fell upon the village.

The Alight at Night festival is a celebration of winter, making the darkness and cold a little more satisfying for visitors.

While the snowstorm meant slightly lighter crowds last Friday evening, the snow is expected to bring in even more visitors to event.

“We still have the busiest time to come,” said Susan Le Clair, manager of customer service and corporate communications.

The milder weather has meant the village has been a bit emptier, but is expected to fill up as families visit over the holidays.

The Village is open evenings, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 26 – Jan. 5.

In total, they expect to see 30,000 visit — about as many as visited the popular new festival Pumpkinferno this year.

The majority of those will be families, who could be seen trudging through the village pulling siblings on toboggans.

The train and village-made cinnamon buns are sure to be hits with the kids, but the light show occupied many as well. The lights on trees, windows and columns of Crysler Hall flicker and dance — choreographed to Christmas music in a short show played every half hour. It adds some variety when wandering the village.

Because there is no shortage of lights. With nearly one million light bulbs illuminating the historic buildings, everything from fences, to trees to rooftops and windows are outlined. Some buildings are even awash in light.

“It’s able to bring out the architecture and the wood,” said Le Clair of this recent addition to the village.

Also new are the Victorian Christmas tableaus inside Crysler Hall.

“Today, a lot of our traditions go back to Victorian times,” said Le Clair.

Mannequins depicting Santa’s workshop, a traditional dinner and a scene from Scrooge have replaced the gingerbread competition that was displayed for the past four years.

While perhaps less exciting than edible houses, it is suitable for the location, helping visitors feel transported back to a time when wintry nights didn’t mean curling up on the couch with a movie.

Mixing things up is also important because many of the visitors are repeats, Le Clair said. For many families it’s a tradition of their own.

Alight at Night also helps Upper Canada Village reach a new market.

“They come very year, but they don’t necessarily come in the summer,” said Le Clair of her guests.

Lovebirds are also a popular sight at the park, with two-person Pommier carriages booked all weekend before Christmas – many for engagements, said Le Clair.

it was couples young and old that could be seen enjoying the romantic lights.

For families, larger horse drawn carriages are also available for a zip around the village, and are a must-do for visitors (unless you are allergic to horses).

Christ Church is also a must-see, where carolers create the perfect atmosphere, and guests are invited to join in.

“We’re finding that it’s something that a lot of people enjoy – singing carols,” said Le Clair, and for those who would rather not annoy their families, the church is the perfect venue.

For those who haven’t visited, it’s a great way to enjoy winter. And for those who have, you can’t go too many times.

“It doesn’t go up the same way year after year, so it always looks a bit different,” said Le Clair.